Saudi Arabia death penalty

I've just read that 4 Sri Lankans were beheaded on monday the 19th of February. I am not easily shocked, but this shocked me really. Mainly because they 'just' did an armed robbery, without people getting killed, raped or they being involved in drug related crime. SA wanted to make a statement to prevent further criminal activity, mainly by foreigners (one third is a foreigner over there). What do you think?

I've just read that 4 Sri Lankans were beheaded on monday the 19th of February. I am not easily shocked, but this shocked me really. Mainly because they 'just' did an armed robbery, without people getting killed, raped or they being involved in drug related crime. SA wanted to make a statement to prevent further criminal activity, mainly by foreigners (one third is a foreigner over there). What do you think?

I know that was a very harsh punishment. I recall that case has been in the Sri Lankan papers for some time now and both the Government of Sri Lanka and the family of the four had been appealing to the Saudi Arabian Government to not give the death penalty.

Personally, I am against capital punishment and think it is a violation of human rights.

I some case death penalty is a good punishment, I have to agree. especially mass or serial murderers and for raping people maybe in some cases. But not for other cases. By the way, look at death penalty in the USA. Although it's a pretty safe country for tourists, there is a lot of crime between gangs or the occasional mind that goes blank and shoots a lot of people, in malls or schools. What strikes me most is the fact that Saudi Arabia says that all islamic (sharia) laws have been met so it's ok. But if a dutch politician says that half of the Koran should be erased because of the language that it uses, the Saudi Arabian government demands excuses from him......totally strange world isn't it.

I think u must be very stupid to be involved in organized crime in Saudi Arabia. Everybody knows how strict they are. If u want to be involved in organized crime please go to Europe. There u get some nice time in prison if u get caught. And probably u will come free after a few years if u behave well. And the prisons here, believe me, 5 star hotels, those Sri-Lankan weirdo's don't know what they have missed. And now they ended up hanging in public, so sad. Saudi Arabia has low criminality and they want to keep that by hanging a criminal in public every once at a while. I don't blame them. Who is that stupid to get into crime anyways. And then in a country like Saudi Arabia. I think those Sri Lankans were just suicidal and very mental. I just laugh about it, sorry, that is my opinion

So u do your crimes here, in Europe then Wouter? Tell me more about what the prison conditions are like here, because I have never been in one?

Mel

They have TV, radio, computer. They receive mail. They get good food. they just have a nice place to live (but no key ofcourse). They can read or write a good book or do some exercise (they have all the time, they are totally relaxed when they get free). They have care 24/7 by the European taxpayer. They have internet, I am on it right now. why do u think I post this much?

So many people claim that prison is like hotel living - but how true is that really? No freedom, few rights, cramped living, gangs, fights, rapes... it doesn't sound appealing to me. I agree that prisoners shouldn't get preferrental treatment, but sometimes an education and counselling and doing something productive with your time can help rehabilitate petty criminals.

As for the big guns, well - I'm undecided on that. I think the death penalty is pure hypocracy (you can't prove killing is wrong by killing someone - and rejoycing after someone is put to death is horribly evil), but is regular incarceration enough for violent criminals? Should they be isolated? Deprived of human contact and distractions like TV or Internet? If they can't be rehabilitated, then what? Serious question.